of the people, the
South became a vast garden of corruption, in which the pure and
uncorrupted were as pearls among rocks. From the hour that their
fearful work after gain commenced, charity fled weeping from the midst
of the people, and the demons of avarice strode triumphant over the
land, heedless of the cries of the poverty stricken, regardless of the
moanings of hungry children, blind to the sufferings it had occasioned
and indifferent to the woe and desolation it had brought on the poor.

But all this was seen by God, and the voice of Eternity uttered a
curse which will yet have effect. Even now as we write, the voice of
approaching peace can be heard in the distance, for the waters on
which our bark of State has been tossing for three years begins to
grow calmer, while the haven of independence looms up before us, and
as each mariner directs his gaze on the shore of liberty the mist
which obscured it becomes dispelled, until the blessed resumption of
happiness and prosperity once more presents itself, like a gleam of
sunshine on a dark and cheerless road of life.

The eye of God is at last turned upon a suffering people. The past
years of bloody warfare were not His work; He had no agency in
stirring up the baser passions of mankind and imbuing the hands of men
in each others blood, nor did He knowingly permit the poor to die of
want and privation. He saw not all these, for the Eye which "seeth all
things" was turned from the scene of our desolation, and fiends
triumphed where Eternity was not, Hell reigned supreme where Heaven
ruled not--Earth was but a plaything in the hands of Destiny.
Philanthropy may deny it--Christianity will declare it heresy--man
will challenge its truth, but it is no less true than is the universe
a fact beyond doubt, and beyond the comprehension of mortals to
discover its secrets.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIXTH.

THE RECOGNITION.

As soon as the groom had prepared the buggy, he announced to Dr.
Humphries that it was in readiness. Calling Harry, who was again
seated by the side of his betrothed, indulging in secret conversation,
the Doctor went into the street where the buggy was.

"I will drive myself this morning, John," he remarked to the groom,
"Mr. Harry will go with me."

"Berry well, sah," replied the groom, moving off.

Stepping into the buggy, followed by Harry, the Doctor took the reins
in his hands and was about to drive off.

"Wait a moment," observed Harry, "has E